Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed is conscious after life-saving surgery, his family said on Saturday, as police made two arrests in connection with a blast they said was being treated as a terror attack.&nbsp;

Nasheed, the president of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party and the current parliament speaker, was critically injured after a bomb exploded as he left his family home in the capital Male on Thursday. &nbsp;

Police on Saturday said they had made two arrests in connection with the blast, without giving further details. &nbsp;

"I'm good," Nasheed said after coming off life support, according to a tweet by his sister Nashida Sattar.&nbsp;

His brother, Ibrahim Nashid, said doctors were happy with Nasheed's recovery.&nbsp;

"He is out of life support and breathing on his own," he said in a tweet. "Managed to exchange a few words. Promised to come back stronger. I believe him." &nbsp;

Nasheed, the Maldives' first democratically-elected president, is an outspoken critic of Islamic extremism in the Sunni Muslim island archipelago, and has been instrumental in investigating graft allegations against opposition leaders.&nbsp;

The country has a reputation for political unrest. &nbsp;

Nasheed was deposed and exiled in what he called a coup in 2012, while in 2015, former President Abdulla Yameen escaped unharmed after an explosion on his speedboat. &nbsp;

In 2007, a blast that was blamed on Islamist militants targeted foreign tourists and injured 12 people.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed is conscious after life-saving surgery, his family said on Saturday, as police made two arrests in connection with a blast they said was being treated as a terror attack.

Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed is conscious after life-saving surgery, his family said on Saturday, as police made two arrests in connection with a blast they said was being treated as a terror attack. Nasheed, the president of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party and the current parliament speaker, was critically injured after a bomb exploded as he left his family home in the capital Male on Thursday. Police on Saturday said they had made two arrests in connection with the blast, without giving further details. "I'm good," Nasheed said after coming off life support, according to a tweet by his sister Nashida Sattar. His brother, Ibrahim Nashid, said doctors were happy with Nasheed's recovery. "He is out of life support and breathing on his own," he said in a tweet. "Managed to exchange a few words. Promised to come back stronger. I believe him." Nasheed, the Maldives' first democratically-elected president, is an outspoken critic of Islamic extremism in the Sunni Muslim island archipelago, and has been instrumental in investigating graft allegations against opposition leaders. The country has a reputation for political unrest. Nasheed was deposed and exiled in what he called a coup in 2012, while in 2015, former President Abdulla Yameen escaped unharmed after an explosion on his speedboat. In 2007, a blast that was blamed on Islamist militants targeted foreign tourists and injured 12 people. (With inputs from agencies)

'I'm good', says former Maldives president Nasheed after surviving bomb blast 

Just before an online meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday, Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador very publicly accused the US government of violating Mexico's sovereignty. &nbsp;

The issue apparently didn't arise in the meeting with Harris. "It's not on the agenda and it's not our intention to create a bad atmosphere," López Obrador said ahead of the talks.&nbsp;

The meeting itself 'the portion made public' focused on immigration, a key issue in US-Mexico relationship along with trade, border security and the pandemic.&nbsp;

"We are going to help on immigration,” López Obrador told Harris. “You can count on us."&nbsp;

But with Mexico facing key congressional and state elections on June 6, the nationalist president dedicated a good part of his news conference earlier in the day to expressing outrage over a funding decision by the US Agency for International Development.&nbsp;

"It is an interventionist act that violated our sovereignty," said López Obrador, who added that Mexico had filed a diplomatic note with the US Embassy.&nbsp;

Less than two hours later, it was all smiles and compliments when López Obrador and Harris met at least in the publicly shown prelude to the closed meeting, which comes ahead of a planned actual visit by Harris on June 8.&nbsp;

López Obrador commended US President Joe Biden for giving Harris the responsibility of finding ways to address the root causes of migration, and he said he planned to pitch again a proposal he floated last month at Biden's climate summit.&nbsp;

The Mexican president wants the US to fund a major expansion of one of his signature programmes, 'Planting Life’, which provides cash payments to farmers, who plant certain fruit and lumber trees.&nbsp;

The aim has been to help keep Mexicans in their rural communities.&nbsp;

Mexico has offered it as a way to help in Central America too. The more challenging part of López Obrador's pitch is that the US grant six-month work visas, and eventually citizenship, to those who participate in the programme.&nbsp;

The Biden administration, like the Trump and Obama administrations before it, has been overwhelmed by the number of migrant children and families arriving at the US-Mexico border and looked to Mexico for help in slowing transit across its territory.&nbsp;

Most of the migrants come from Central America, though the number of Mexican migrants has risen as well. Harris is also scheduled to visit Guatemala June 7.&nbsp;

"We agreed to work together to establish a strategic partnership to address root causes of migration, spur economic development, and expand security cooperation," Harris wrote later on Friday on Twitter.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Just before an online meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday, Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador very publicly accused the US government of violating Mexico's sovereignty.

Just before an online meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday, Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador very publicly accused the US government of violating Mexico's sovereignty. The issue apparently didn't arise in the meeting with Harris. "It's not on the agenda and it's not our intention to create a bad atmosphere," López Obrador said ahead of the talks. The meeting itself 'the portion made public' focused on immigration, a key issue in US-Mexico relationship along with trade, border security and the pandemic. "We are going to help on immigration,” López Obrador told Harris. “You can count on us." But with Mexico facing key congressional and state elections on June 6, the nationalist president dedicated a good part of his news conference earlier in the day to expressing outrage over a funding decision by the US Agency for International Development. "It is an interventionist act that violated our sovereignty," said López Obrador, who added that Mexico had filed a diplomatic note with the US Embassy. Less than two hours later, it was all smiles and compliments when López Obrador and Harris met at least in the publicly shown prelude to the closed meeting, which comes ahead of a planned actual visit by Harris on June 8. López Obrador commended US President Joe Biden for giving Harris the responsibility of finding ways to address the root causes of migration, and he said he planned to pitch again a proposal he floated last month at Biden's climate summit. The Mexican president wants the US to fund a major expansion of one of his signature programmes, 'Planting Life’, which provides cash payments to farmers, who plant certain fruit and lumber trees. The aim has been to help keep Mexicans in their rural communities. Mexico has offered it as a way to help in Central America too. The more challenging part of López Obrador's pitch is that the US grant six-month work visas, and eventually citizenship, to those who participate in the programme. The Biden administration, like the Trump and Obama administrations before it, has been overwhelmed by the number of migrant children and families arriving at the US-Mexico border and looked to Mexico for help in slowing transit across its territory. Most of the migrants come from Central America, though the number of Mexican migrants has risen as well. Harris is also scheduled to visit Guatemala June 7. "We agreed to work together to establish a strategic partnership to address root causes of migration, spur economic development, and expand security cooperation," Harris wrote later on Friday on Twitter. (With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of Harris meeting, Mexico president accuses US 

In view of the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in several countries and emergence of new virus variants, the government is reducing entry approvals for work pass holders and their dependents entering Singapore in the coming weeks.&nbsp;

"In this period of heightened alert, we are making changes to the entry of work pass holders who have earlier obtained approvals to arrive from higher risk countries and regions from Tuesday onwards," said the Ministry of Manpower on Friday.&nbsp;

Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process (CMP) work pass holders, who have earlier obtained approval will be allowed entry as approved, except for a small group with planned arrivals in June who will be rescheduled to arrive in subsequent weeks, said the ministry.&nbsp;

Migrant domestic workers who have obtained earlier approval will be allowed entry as approved except for some with planned arrivals prior to June 7 who will be rescheduled to arrive in subsequent weeks.&nbsp;

Other work pass holders who obtained approval to enter prior to 5 July will not be allowed to enter, the ministry said.&nbsp;

"We will inform employers on when to re-apply for entry when the situation has stabilised and will prioritise them for entry approval then," said the ministry in a statement.&nbsp;

"In view of the need to reschedule the entry of work pass holders who had already obtained approval to enter, we regret that we will not be accepting new entry applications from higher risk countries and regions with immediate effect, except for workers needed for key strategic projects and infrastructural works who we will continue to allow entry," it said.&nbsp;

Starting today (Friday), the Ministry of Manpower will be reaching out to affected work pass holders and their employers of the changes to their entry.&nbsp;

The above changes will not affect work pass holders already given or are seeking entry approval to enter Singapore from lower-risk countries and regions, under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA), Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and other approved travel lanes.&nbsp;

"We seek the understanding and cooperation of work pass holders and their employers for these changes. They are necessary to enable workers to enter in a safe and calibrated manner, and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 importation," said the ministry.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, the government had announced tightened border control measures in response to growing community infections in Singapore.&nbsp;

These include an extension of the stay-home notice (SHN) period for travellers from higher-risk countries or regions, from 14 days to 21, starting Saturday.&nbsp;

Only travellers arriving from Australia, Brunei, mainland China, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are exempt, according to media reports.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In view of the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in several countries and emergence of new virus variants, the government is reducing entry approvals for work pass holders and their dependents entering Singapore in the coming weeks.

In view of the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in several countries and emergence of new virus variants, the government is reducing entry approvals for work pass holders and their dependents entering Singapore in the coming weeks. "In this period of heightened alert, we are making changes to the entry of work pass holders who have earlier obtained approvals to arrive from higher risk countries and regions from Tuesday onwards," said the Ministry of Manpower on Friday. Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process (CMP) work pass holders, who have earlier obtained approval will be allowed entry as approved, except for a small group with planned arrivals in June who will be rescheduled to arrive in subsequent weeks, said the ministry. Migrant domestic workers who have obtained earlier approval will be allowed entry as approved except for some with planned arrivals prior to June 7 who will be rescheduled to arrive in subsequent weeks. Other work pass holders who obtained approval to enter prior to 5 July will not be allowed to enter, the ministry said. "We will inform employers on when to re-apply for entry when the situation has stabilised and will prioritise them for entry approval then," said the ministry in a statement. "In view of the need to reschedule the entry of work pass holders who had already obtained approval to enter, we regret that we will not be accepting new entry applications from higher risk countries and regions with immediate effect, except for workers needed for key strategic projects and infrastructural works who we will continue to allow entry," it said. Starting today (Friday), the Ministry of Manpower will be reaching out to affected work pass holders and their employers of the changes to their entry. The above changes will not affect work pass holders already given or are seeking entry approval to enter Singapore from lower-risk countries and regions, under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA), Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and other approved travel lanes. "We seek the understanding and cooperation of work pass holders and their employers for these changes. They are necessary to enable workers to enter in a safe and calibrated manner, and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 importation," said the ministry. On Tuesday, the government had announced tightened border control measures in response to growing community infections in Singapore. These include an extension of the stay-home notice (SHN) period for travellers from higher-risk countries or regions, from 14 days to 21, starting Saturday. Only travellers arriving from Australia, Brunei, mainland China, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are exempt, according to media reports. (With inputs from agencies)

Singapore reduces entry approvals for foreigners holding work passes  

NASA's new administrator is big on tackling climate and diversifying the agency's workforce, but hedging on whether the US can put astronauts on the moon by 2024.&nbsp;

In his first interview since becoming NASA's top official this week, former Sen Bill Nelson said on Friday that tracking climate change is a top issue.&nbsp;

He also wants to diversify the space agency's workforce so it reflects America. &nbsp;

As for landing astronauts on the moon, Nelson said the goal remains 2024, a deadline set by the Trump administration. But he cautions space is hard and he needs more time to review the matter, especially with a contract protest over the lunar lander for astronauts.&nbsp;

"We all know that space is hard," he said, noting there are often delays developing new technologies.&nbsp;

"But the goal is 2024.?&nbsp;

His underlying vision for NASA 'to explore the heavens with humans and machines'.&nbsp;

Nelson said he did not seek the NASA administrator job and had recommended three women to lead the space agency.&nbsp;

He said he told the Biden administration he would accept the nomination only if one of the women could serve as his deputy selected for the job: former space shuttle commander Pam Melroy.&nbsp;

Nelson, 78, is NASA's 14th administrator, the third to fly in space and the first to grow up in the shadow of rockets.&nbsp;

He was sworn in on Monday by Vice President Kamala Harris, who will head the National Space Council.&nbsp;

In a show of bipartisan space support, the two previous administrators took part in the ceremony, representing the Obama and Trump administrations.&nbsp;

Nelson steps into NASA's top job after 44 years of public service, 42 of them in an elected public office.&nbsp;

Nelson grew up near Cape Canaveral, graduating from high school a year before Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space 60 years ago this week.&nbsp;

He went on to law school and served in the US Army Reserve during the Vietnam War.&nbsp;

After a few terms in the Florida legislature, Nelson, a Democrat, won election to Congress, first in the House and then the Senate, before a 2018 defeat ended his political career.&nbsp;

It was while Nelson was a congressman that he rocketed into orbit aboard space shuttle Columbia in January 1986, just two weeks before Challenger's astronauts perished during liftoff. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA's new administrator is big on tackling climate and diversifying the agency's workforce, but hedging on whether the US can put astronauts on the moon by 2024.

NASA's new administrator is big on tackling climate and diversifying the agency's workforce, but hedging on whether the US can put astronauts on the moon by 2024. In his first interview since becoming NASA's top official this week, former Sen Bill Nelson said on Friday that tracking climate change is a top issue. He also wants to diversify the space agency's workforce so it reflects America. As for landing astronauts on the moon, Nelson said the goal remains 2024, a deadline set by the Trump administration. But he cautions space is hard and he needs more time to review the matter, especially with a contract protest over the lunar lander for astronauts. "We all know that space is hard," he said, noting there are often delays developing new technologies. "But the goal is 2024.? His underlying vision for NASA 'to explore the heavens with humans and machines'. Nelson said he did not seek the NASA administrator job and had recommended three women to lead the space agency. He said he told the Biden administration he would accept the nomination only if one of the women could serve as his deputy selected for the job: former space shuttle commander Pam Melroy. Nelson, 78, is NASA's 14th administrator, the third to fly in space and the first to grow up in the shadow of rockets. He was sworn in on Monday by Vice President Kamala Harris, who will head the National Space Council. In a show of bipartisan space support, the two previous administrators took part in the ceremony, representing the Obama and Trump administrations. Nelson steps into NASA's top job after 44 years of public service, 42 of them in an elected public office. Nelson grew up near Cape Canaveral, graduating from high school a year before Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space 60 years ago this week. He went on to law school and served in the US Army Reserve during the Vietnam War. After a few terms in the Florida legislature, Nelson, a Democrat, won election to Congress, first in the House and then the Senate, before a 2018 defeat ended his political career. It was while Nelson was a congressman that he rocketed into orbit aboard space shuttle Columbia in January 1986, just two weeks before Challenger's astronauts perished during liftoff. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's new chief big on climate, hedges on 2024 moon landing 

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Morning news brief: Netanyahu misses deadline, political future in question and more

India and the European Union on Tuesday called for an 'immediate, permanent and comprehensive' ceasefire in Afghanistan, and said an effective and unconditional cessation of hostilities is essential for creating the appropriate conditions for the peace process in the country.&nbsp;

Issues relating to the Afghan peace process figured prominently in talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell Fontelles on the sidelines of a meeting of the G7 in London.&nbsp;

A joint press statement said both Jaishankar and Borrell underlined the importance of ensuring that the soil of Afghanistan is not used by terrorist groups to threaten the security of India and the EU.&nbsp;

It said they agreed that a successful peace process requires the Taliban to engage in good faith, with a serious commitment towards finding a political solution.&nbsp;

"External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Borrell jointly and firmly condemned the unacceptable level of violence perpetrated against the national forces of Afghanistan and civilians and the targeted assassinations of civil rights activists, mediapersons and Ulema," it said.&nbsp;

The statement said Jaiishankar and Borrell reiterated their call for an immediate, permanent and comprehensive nationwide ceasefire.&nbsp;

"An effective and unconditional cessation of hostilities is essential for creating the appropriate conditions for the negotiations to proceed meaningfully, for building trust between the parties, in instilling confidence in the Afghan people and for demonstrating a genuine commitment of the Taliban to lasting reconciliation," it said.&nbsp;

It said both sides condemned in the strongest terms all terrorist activities and reaffirmed their strong commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including its financing, the dismantling of terrorist infrastructures and countering radicalisation to ensure that Afghanistan is never again a safe haven for international terrorism.&nbsp;

(With input from agencies)&nbsp;

India and the European Union on Tuesday called for an 'immediate, permanent and comprehensive' ceasefire in Afghanistan, and said an effective and unconditional cessation of hostilities is essential for creating the appropriate conditions for the peace process in the country.

India and the European Union on Tuesday called for an 'immediate, permanent and comprehensive' ceasefire in Afghanistan, and said an effective and unconditional cessation of hostilities is essential for creating the appropriate conditions for the peace process in the country. Issues relating to the Afghan peace process figured prominently in talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell Fontelles on the sidelines of a meeting of the G7 in London. A joint press statement said both Jaishankar and Borrell underlined the importance of ensuring that the soil of Afghanistan is not used by terrorist groups to threaten the security of India and the EU. It said they agreed that a successful peace process requires the Taliban to engage in good faith, with a serious commitment towards finding a political solution. "External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Borrell jointly and firmly condemned the unacceptable level of violence perpetrated against the national forces of Afghanistan and civilians and the targeted assassinations of civil rights activists, mediapersons and Ulema," it said. The statement said Jaiishankar and Borrell reiterated their call for an immediate, permanent and comprehensive nationwide ceasefire. "An effective and unconditional cessation of hostilities is essential for creating the appropriate conditions for the negotiations to proceed meaningfully, for building trust between the parties, in instilling confidence in the Afghan people and for demonstrating a genuine commitment of the Taliban to lasting reconciliation," it said. It said both sides condemned in the strongest terms all terrorist activities and reaffirmed their strong commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including its financing, the dismantling of terrorist infrastructures and countering radicalisation to ensure that Afghanistan is never again a safe haven for international terrorism. (With input from agencies)

India and EU call for 'immediate and comprehensive' ceasefire in Afghanistan 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to meet a midnight deadline to put together a new governing coalition, raising the possibility that his Likud party could be pushed into the opposition for the first time in 12 years.&nbsp;

The deadline closed a four-week window granted to Netanyahu by Israel's figurehead president.&nbsp;

The matter now bounces back to President Reuven Rivlin, who announced just after midnight that he would contact on Wednesday the 13 parties with seats in parliament to discuss the continuation of the process of forming a government.&nbsp;

Rivlin is expected in the coming days to give one of Netanyahu's opponents a chance to form an alternative coalition government.&nbsp;

He also could ask the parliament to select one of its own members as prime minister. If all else fails, the country would be forced into another election this fall, the fifth in just over two years.&nbsp;

The turmoil does not mean that Netanyahu will immediately be forced out as prime minister. But he now faces a serious threat to his lengthy rule.&nbsp;

His opponents, despite deep ideological differences, already have been holding informal talks in recent weeks in hopes of forging a power-sharing agreement.&nbsp;

Netanyahu had struggled to secure a parliamentary majority since March 23, when elections ended in deadlock for the fourth consecutive time in the past two years.&nbsp;

Despite repeated meetings with many of his rivals and unprecedented outreach to the leader of a small Islamist Arab party, Netanyahu was unable to close a deal.&nbsp;

Rivlin gave Netanyahu the first chance to form a coalition after 52 members of parliament endorsed him as prime minister last month. That was short of a majority, but the highest number for any party leader.&nbsp;

Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who received the backing of 45 lawmakers, now seems to be the most likely candidate to get a chance to form a government.&nbsp;

Naftali Bennett, head of the small religious, nationalist Yamina party, is also a possibility. Bennett, a former Netanyahu ally turned rival, controls just seven seats in parliament, but he has emerged as a kingmaker of sorts and appears to carry the votes that Lapid would need to secure a parliamentary majority.&nbsp;

Lapid already has said he is ready to share the prime minister's job with Bennett, with Bennett serving first in a rotation. So far, they have not reached any firm agreements.&nbsp;

In a brief statement, Netanyahu's Likud party blamed Bennett for the prime minister's failure. &nbsp;

"Because of Bennett's refusal to commit to a right-wing government, something that would have certainly led to the formation of a government along with other members of Knesset, Prime Minister Netanyahu returned the mandate to the president,” the statement said.&nbsp;

Defence Minister Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party, called on Netanyahu's opponents to line up behind Lapid.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to meet a midnight deadline to put together a new governing coalition, raising the possibility that his Likud party could be pushed into the opposition for the first time in 12 years.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to meet a midnight deadline to put together a new governing coalition, raising the possibility that his Likud party could be pushed into the opposition for the first time in 12 years. The deadline closed a four-week window granted to Netanyahu by Israel's figurehead president. The matter now bounces back to President Reuven Rivlin, who announced just after midnight that he would contact on Wednesday the 13 parties with seats in parliament to discuss the continuation of the process of forming a government. Rivlin is expected in the coming days to give one of Netanyahu's opponents a chance to form an alternative coalition government. He also could ask the parliament to select one of its own members as prime minister. If all else fails, the country would be forced into another election this fall, the fifth in just over two years. The turmoil does not mean that Netanyahu will immediately be forced out as prime minister. But he now faces a serious threat to his lengthy rule. His opponents, despite deep ideological differences, already have been holding informal talks in recent weeks in hopes of forging a power-sharing agreement. Netanyahu had struggled to secure a parliamentary majority since March 23, when elections ended in deadlock for the fourth consecutive time in the past two years. Despite repeated meetings with many of his rivals and unprecedented outreach to the leader of a small Islamist Arab party, Netanyahu was unable to close a deal. Rivlin gave Netanyahu the first chance to form a coalition after 52 members of parliament endorsed him as prime minister last month. That was short of a majority, but the highest number for any party leader. Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who received the backing of 45 lawmakers, now seems to be the most likely candidate to get a chance to form a government. Naftali Bennett, head of the small religious, nationalist Yamina party, is also a possibility. Bennett, a former Netanyahu ally turned rival, controls just seven seats in parliament, but he has emerged as a kingmaker of sorts and appears to carry the votes that Lapid would need to secure a parliamentary majority. Lapid already has said he is ready to share the prime minister's job with Bennett, with Bennett serving first in a rotation. So far, they have not reached any firm agreements. In a brief statement, Netanyahu's Likud party blamed Bennett for the prime minister's failure. "Because of Bennett's refusal to commit to a right-wing government, something that would have certainly led to the formation of a government along with other members of Knesset, Prime Minister Netanyahu returned the mandate to the president,” the statement said. Defence Minister Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party, called on Netanyahu's opponents to line up behind Lapid. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu misses deadline to form govt, political future in question 

A 73-year-old Australian, who is stranded in India since March last year, has filed a lawsuit before a Sydney court against the federal government for banning flights from India and threatening to prosecute those attempting to enter the country with the possibility of a jail term and a penalty, saying the move is 'unconstitutional'.&nbsp;

The lawyers of Gary Newman, who is stranded in Bengaluru since March last year, have argued in the federal court in Sydney that the ban was 'unconstitutional'.&nbsp;

The Australian government, for the first time in history, recently imposed a ban on its citizens from returning home, if they have spent time in India up to 14 days before flying back.&nbsp;

The government threatened to prosecute them with a possibility of five years of jail term or a penalty of 66,000 Australian dollars (USD 50,899).&nbsp;

Michael Bradley and Chris Ward lodged the application before Justice Stephen Burley on Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The application firstly said that the Commonwealth was acting outside its powers and secondly, Health Minister Greg Hunt's declaration was in breach of an implied freedom to return home, ABC news reported.&nbsp;

Newman is represented by Bradley and Ward, who would work as pro bono to overturn the temporary ban. Pro bono generally refers to services that are rendered by a professional for free or at a lower cost for the public good.&nbsp;

At a brief directions hearing, Ward said Newman was in Bengaluru and 'wishes' to return home, but had been 'prevented' from doing so by Hunt's declaration.&nbsp;

Burley ordered that the proceedings be expedited and a formal hearing date be determined within the next 24 to 48 hours.&nbsp;

On Saturday, Hunt issued a statement on the travel ban for Australians returning from India.&nbsp;

The statement said, ''the Government will implement a temporary pause on travellers from India entering Australian territory if the passenger has been in India within 14 days of the person's time of departure".&nbsp;

The temporary pause, announced after the National Cabinet, was based on advice about the worsening COVID-19 situation in India.&nbsp;

The pause came into effect on Monday and will be reviewed on May 15.&nbsp;

Hunt said the risk assessment that informed the decision was based on the proportion of overseas travellers in quarantine in Australia, who have acquired a COVID-19 infection in India.&nbsp;

The move triggered a backlash with several lawmakers, doctors, civil societies and businessmen criticising the government for 'abandoning' Australians in India and threatening the travellers with a hefty penalty and a jail term.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, while speaking to reporters, defended the decision and said that the pause 'is working', which means it will enable the government to get Australian residents and their immediate families back on repatriation flights.&nbsp;

India is struggling with an unprecedented second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past one week.&nbsp;

According to Indian health ministry data on Wednesday, a record 3,780 fresh COVID-19 fatalities were registered in a single day in India, taking the death toll to 2,26,188, while 3,82,315 new coronavirus infections were recorded.&nbsp;

With the fresh cases, the total tally of COVID-19 cases in the country climbed to 2,06,65,148.&nbsp;

A 73-year-old Australian, who is stranded in India since March last year, has filed a lawsuit before a Sydney court against the federal government for banning flights from India and threatening to prosecute those attempting to enter the country with the possibility of a jail term and a penalty, saying the move is 'unconstitutional'.

A 73-year-old Australian, who is stranded in India since March last year, has filed a lawsuit before a Sydney court against the federal government for banning flights from India and threatening to prosecute those attempting to enter the country with the possibility of a jail term and a penalty, saying the move is 'unconstitutional'. The lawyers of Gary Newman, who is stranded in Bengaluru since March last year, have argued in the federal court in Sydney that the ban was 'unconstitutional'. The Australian government, for the first time in history, recently imposed a ban on its citizens from returning home, if they have spent time in India up to 14 days before flying back. The government threatened to prosecute them with a possibility of five years of jail term or a penalty of 66,000 Australian dollars (USD 50,899). Michael Bradley and Chris Ward lodged the application before Justice Stephen Burley on Wednesday afternoon. The application firstly said that the Commonwealth was acting outside its powers and secondly, Health Minister Greg Hunt's declaration was in breach of an implied freedom to return home, ABC news reported. Newman is represented by Bradley and Ward, who would work as pro bono to overturn the temporary ban. Pro bono generally refers to services that are rendered by a professional for free or at a lower cost for the public good. At a brief directions hearing, Ward said Newman was in Bengaluru and 'wishes' to return home, but had been 'prevented' from doing so by Hunt's declaration. Burley ordered that the proceedings be expedited and a formal hearing date be determined within the next 24 to 48 hours. On Saturday, Hunt issued a statement on the travel ban for Australians returning from India. The statement said, ''the Government will implement a temporary pause on travellers from India entering Australian territory if the passenger has been in India within 14 days of the person's time of departure". The temporary pause, announced after the National Cabinet, was based on advice about the worsening COVID-19 situation in India. The pause came into effect on Monday and will be reviewed on May 15. Hunt said the risk assessment that informed the decision was based on the proportion of overseas travellers in quarantine in Australia, who have acquired a COVID-19 infection in India. The move triggered a backlash with several lawmakers, doctors, civil societies and businessmen criticising the government for 'abandoning' Australians in India and threatening the travellers with a hefty penalty and a jail term. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, while speaking to reporters, defended the decision and said that the pause 'is working', which means it will enable the government to get Australian residents and their immediate families back on repatriation flights. India is struggling with an unprecedented second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past one week. According to Indian health ministry data on Wednesday, a record 3,780 fresh COVID-19 fatalities were registered in a single day in India, taking the death toll to 2,26,188, while 3,82,315 new coronavirus infections were recorded. With the fresh cases, the total tally of COVID-19 cases in the country climbed to 2,06,65,148.

73-yr-old Australian stuck in Bengaluru sues Morrison govt for ban on flights from India  

Top US Democratic lawmakers have launched #FreeTheVaccine campaign in support of a proposal by India and South Africa before the World Trade Organisation to temporarily waive anti-COVID vaccine patents to boost its supply.&nbsp;

More than 100 Democratic Congressmen, along with a large number of policy activists and rights bodies, launched the campaign on Tuesday, a day before the crucial meeting of the WTO General Council in Geneva.&nbsp;

"The horror in India could play out again and again in other countries if we don't act now. Blocking access to vaccines is anti-humanitarian, anti-diplomatic, and weakens American influence for good on the global stage," Congressman Lloyd Doggett tweeted.&nbsp;

Congresswoman Barbara Lee also echoed similar sentiments.&nbsp;

"India is seeing devastation right now, which could be helped if we would #FreeTheVaccine. The time is now to do what is right," she said.&nbsp;

"India's public health system is collapsing. This is no time to keep vaccines and vaccine technology from the developing world #FreeTheVaccine," Congressman Andy Levin said.&nbsp;

Last week, a group of Democratic lawmakers met Tai and White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients over the issue and urged her to support the proposal.&nbsp;

The group of lawmakers included Jan Schakowsky, Lloyd Doggett, Rosa DeLauro, Earl Blumenauer, Jesús García, Barbara Lee, Adriano Espaillat, and Andy Levin.&nbsp;

"Much of the required vaccines should be manufactured abroad near those in greatest need using American technology. We need more urgent action by the administration to remove any objection to the TRIPS waiver and permit sharing of the intellectual property required for vaccine manufacturing to get underway immediately," the lawmakers said in a joint statement.&nbsp;

"To underscore the need for action now, we hope that more taxpayers, public interest advocates, religious and business leaders will join our call on the administration. With an increasing public outcry, the administration must act," they said.&nbsp;

Joining the #FreeTheVaccine campaign, Congressman Mark Pocan said India is being devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

"I joined 110 of my colleagues demanding President Joe Biden to support a TRIPS Waiver, so the world has access to life-saving COVID vaccines," he said.&nbsp;

"We must put people's lives over Big Pharma's profits. #FreeTheVaccine," Pocan said.&nbsp;

Indian American politician from New York Jaslin Kaur also appealed to President Biden to support the proposal by India and South Africa.&nbsp;

"Tomorrow is your chance to support #TRIPSWaiver before the WTO to save millions in India," she said.&nbsp;

"COVID-19 is killing 120 Indians per hour, 3,000 people dying daily, while global superpowers hoard the vaccine + refuse to release the patents. It's apartheid, it's genocide. I'll be standing with dozens of organisations + allies tomorrow to demand a free #PeoplesVaccine for all," tweeted another Indian American politician from Virginia Karishma Mehta.&nbsp;

Dozens of non-profit organisations have scheduled a rally for vaccine access for all at the National Mall on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Prominent among them are People's Action, Justice Is Global, Amnesty International, Public Action, Africans Rising, Oxfam and Association for Concerned Africa Scholars.&nbsp;

"We know governments can do much more to end the global pandemic, including sharing vaccine recipes and helping the world make billions more doses," said the rally organisers. &nbsp;

"The Biden administration has an opportunity to make vaccines available by supporting the TRIPS Waiver at the World Trade Organisation, as proposed by India and South Africa. Furthermore, the US can and should invest money in scaling up global vaccine manufacturing. Join the call to #FreeTheVaccine!" they said.&nbsp;

Top US Democratic lawmakers have launched #FreeTheVaccine campaign in support of a proposal by India and South Africa before the World Trade Organisation to temporarily waive anti-COVID vaccine patents to boost its supply.

Top US Democratic lawmakers have launched #FreeTheVaccine campaign in support of a proposal by India and South Africa before the World Trade Organisation to temporarily waive anti-COVID vaccine patents to boost its supply. More than 100 Democratic Congressmen, along with a large number of policy activists and rights bodies, launched the campaign on Tuesday, a day before the crucial meeting of the WTO General Council in Geneva. "The horror in India could play out again and again in other countries if we don't act now. Blocking access to vaccines is anti-humanitarian, anti-diplomatic, and weakens American influence for good on the global stage," Congressman Lloyd Doggett tweeted. Congresswoman Barbara Lee also echoed similar sentiments. "India is seeing devastation right now, which could be helped if we would #FreeTheVaccine. The time is now to do what is right," she said. "India's public health system is collapsing. This is no time to keep vaccines and vaccine technology from the developing world #FreeTheVaccine," Congressman Andy Levin said. Last week, a group of Democratic lawmakers met Tai and White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients over the issue and urged her to support the proposal. The group of lawmakers included Jan Schakowsky, Lloyd Doggett, Rosa DeLauro, Earl Blumenauer, Jesús García, Barbara Lee, Adriano Espaillat, and Andy Levin. "Much of the required vaccines should be manufactured abroad near those in greatest need using American technology. We need more urgent action by the administration to remove any objection to the TRIPS waiver and permit sharing of the intellectual property required for vaccine manufacturing to get underway immediately," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. "To underscore the need for action now, we hope that more taxpayers, public interest advocates, religious and business leaders will join our call on the administration. With an increasing public outcry, the administration must act," they said. Joining the #FreeTheVaccine campaign, Congressman Mark Pocan said India is being devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. "I joined 110 of my colleagues demanding President Joe Biden to support a TRIPS Waiver, so the world has access to life-saving COVID vaccines," he said. "We must put people's lives over Big Pharma's profits. #FreeTheVaccine," Pocan said. Indian American politician from New York Jaslin Kaur also appealed to President Biden to support the proposal by India and South Africa. "Tomorrow is your chance to support #TRIPSWaiver before the WTO to save millions in India," she said. "COVID-19 is killing 120 Indians per hour, 3,000 people dying daily, while global superpowers hoard the vaccine + refuse to release the patents. It's apartheid, it's genocide. I'll be standing with dozens of organisations + allies tomorrow to demand a free #PeoplesVaccine for all," tweeted another Indian American politician from Virginia Karishma Mehta. Dozens of non-profit organisations have scheduled a rally for vaccine access for all at the National Mall on Wednesday. Prominent among them are People's Action, Justice Is Global, Amnesty International, Public Action, Africans Rising, Oxfam and Association for Concerned Africa Scholars. "We know governments can do much more to end the global pandemic, including sharing vaccine recipes and helping the world make billions more doses," said the rally organisers. "The Biden administration has an opportunity to make vaccines available by supporting the TRIPS Waiver at the World Trade Organisation, as proposed by India and South Africa. Furthermore, the US can and should invest money in scaling up global vaccine manufacturing. Join the call to #FreeTheVaccine!" they said.

US lawmakers launch #FreeTheVaccine campaign in support of India, South Africa  

A space-aged bottle of fine French wine, part of a case of Bordeaux that was literally matured in Earth orbit for 14 months, is being put up for private sale by Christie's, and the auction house estimates it may fetch up to $1 million.&nbsp;

The unprecedented offering of the 2000 vintage Petrus, an exclusive, world-class red produced from Merlot grapes in the Pomerol wine-growing region of Bordeaux, was announced in London on Wednesday.&nbsp;

"This bottle of Petrus 2000 marks a momentous step in the pursuit of developing and gaining a greater understanding of the maturation of wine," Tim Triptree, international director of the auctioneer’s wine and spirits department, said in a statement.&nbsp;

Proceeds will go to the private European rocket company Space Cargo Unlimited, which launched 12 bottles of Petrus 2000 on a voyage to the International Space Station in November 2019, part of a series of experiments in viticulture and microgravity.&nbsp;

The company said its so-called Mission WISE marked the world's first private applied space research programme.&nbsp;

The dozen bottles of Petrus were shuttled back to Earth from the space station in January this year aboard a SpaceX cargo capsule after spending nearly 440 days, or about 186 million miles (300 million km), in orbit.&nbsp;

The wine returned to Bordeaux, where a bottle was opened for a blind taste test at the Institute for Wine and Vine Research by a dozen leading connoisseurs, who compared it with controlled samples of the same vintage Petrus that had stayed on Earth.&nbsp;

The experts, including Jane Anson, a writer for the wine magazine Decanter, reported a subtle but clear difference between the two.&nbsp;

"From previous experience of this wine, this particular bottle seems more evolved than I would expect from a 21-year-old bottle of Petrus 2000," Decanter quoted Anson as saying.&nbsp;

"It is beautiful and nuanced, with fine tannins and a sense energy."&nbsp;

She rated both samples 98 points.&nbsp;

Christie’s said it was making available an unopened bottle of the space-aged collection for immediate purchase through its private sales, along with a matching bottle of the original Earth-bound Petrus 2000, plus a decanter, a set of glasses and a corkscrew fashioned from a meteorite.&nbsp;

Decanter said Christie's confirmed the offering was expected to fetch a sale price about $1 million. That would be major markup, even by the high-flying standards of one of the world's most prestigious wines.&nbsp;

A single bottle of vintage 2000 Petrus, from a 28-acre estate that produces only about 30,000 bottles a year, would normally run $5,366, and one sold at auction for $51,660 in 2018, according to the wine investment platform Vinovest. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A space-aged bottle of fine French wine, part of a case of Bordeaux that was literally matured in Earth orbit for 14 months, is being put up for private sale by Christie's, and the auction house estimates it may fetch up to $1 million.

A space-aged bottle of fine French wine, part of a case of Bordeaux that was literally matured in Earth orbit for 14 months, is being put up for private sale by Christie's, and the auction house estimates it may fetch up to $1 million. The unprecedented offering of the 2000 vintage Petrus, an exclusive, world-class red produced from Merlot grapes in the Pomerol wine-growing region of Bordeaux, was announced in London on Wednesday. "This bottle of Petrus 2000 marks a momentous step in the pursuit of developing and gaining a greater understanding of the maturation of wine," Tim Triptree, international director of the auctioneer’s wine and spirits department, said in a statement. Proceeds will go to the private European rocket company Space Cargo Unlimited, which launched 12 bottles of Petrus 2000 on a voyage to the International Space Station in November 2019, part of a series of experiments in viticulture and microgravity. The company said its so-called Mission WISE marked the world's first private applied space research programme. The dozen bottles of Petrus were shuttled back to Earth from the space station in January this year aboard a SpaceX cargo capsule after spending nearly 440 days, or about 186 million miles (300 million km), in orbit. The wine returned to Bordeaux, where a bottle was opened for a blind taste test at the Institute for Wine and Vine Research by a dozen leading connoisseurs, who compared it with controlled samples of the same vintage Petrus that had stayed on Earth. The experts, including Jane Anson, a writer for the wine magazine Decanter, reported a subtle but clear difference between the two. "From previous experience of this wine, this particular bottle seems more evolved than I would expect from a 21-year-old bottle of Petrus 2000," Decanter quoted Anson as saying. "It is beautiful and nuanced, with fine tannins and a sense energy." She rated both samples 98 points. Christie’s said it was making available an unopened bottle of the space-aged collection for immediate purchase through its private sales, along with a matching bottle of the original Earth-bound Petrus 2000, plus a decanter, a set of glasses and a corkscrew fashioned from a meteorite. Decanter said Christie's confirmed the offering was expected to fetch a sale price about $1 million. That would be major markup, even by the high-flying standards of one of the world's most prestigious wines. A single bottle of vintage 2000 Petrus, from a 28-acre estate that produces only about 30,000 bottles a year, would normally run $5,366, and one sold at auction for $51,660 in 2018, according to the wine investment platform Vinovest.

Space-aged Bordeaux wine offered for private sale by Christie's 

The US birth rate fell 4% last year, the largest single-year decrease in nearly 50 years, according to a government report being released on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The rate dropped for moms of every major race and ethnicity, and in nearly age group, falling to the lowest point since federal health officials started tracking it more than a century ago.&nbsp;

Births have been declining in younger women for years, as many postponed motherhood and had smaller families.&nbsp;

Birth rates for women in their late 30s and in their 40s have been inching up. But not last year.&nbsp;

"The fact that you saw declines in births even for older moms is quite striking," said Brady Hamilton, of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the lead author of the new report.&nbsp;

The CDC report is based on a review of more than 99% of birth certificates issued last year. The findings echo a recent Associated Press analysis of 2020 data from 25 states showing that births had fallen during the coronavirus outbreak.&nbsp;

The pandemic no doubt contributed to last year's big decline, experts say. Anxiety about COVID-19 and its impact on the economy likely caused many couples to think that having a baby right then was a bad idea.&nbsp;

But many of the 2020 pregnancies began well before the US epidemic. CDC researchers are working on a follow-up report to better parse out how the decline unfolded, Hamilton said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The US birth rate fell 4% last year, the largest single-year decrease in nearly 50 years, according to a government report being released on Wednesday. The rate dropped for moms of every major race and ethnicity, and in nearly age group, falling to the lowest point since federal health officials started tracking it more than a century ago.

The US birth rate fell 4% last year, the largest single-year decrease in nearly 50 years, according to a government report being released on Wednesday. The rate dropped for moms of every major race and ethnicity, and in nearly age group, falling to the lowest point since federal health officials started tracking it more than a century ago. Births have been declining in younger women for years, as many postponed motherhood and had smaller families. Birth rates for women in their late 30s and in their 40s have been inching up. But not last year. "The fact that you saw declines in births even for older moms is quite striking," said Brady Hamilton, of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the lead author of the new report. The CDC report is based on a review of more than 99% of birth certificates issued last year. The findings echo a recent Associated Press analysis of 2020 data from 25 states showing that births had fallen during the coronavirus outbreak. The pandemic no doubt contributed to last year's big decline, experts say. Anxiety about COVID-19 and its impact on the economy likely caused many couples to think that having a baby right then was a bad idea. But many of the 2020 pregnancies began well before the US epidemic. CDC researchers are working on a follow-up report to better parse out how the decline unfolded, Hamilton said.

US birth rate falls to lowest point in more than a century 

The company providing internet services for Belgium's parliament, government agencies, universities and scientific institutions said on Tuesday that its network was under cyberattack, with connections to several customers disrupted. &nbsp;

Belnet said in a statement the attack is still in progress and takes place in successive waves. Our teams are working hard to mitigate them. The company has around 200 customers.&nbsp;

Two hours later it said, the effect of the attack seems to be diminishing, but provided no other details.&nbsp;

Belgian media reported that online services for coronavirus vaccination centres were partly disrupted and that prosecutors' offices in Brussels had experienced problems.&nbsp;

Belnet Director Dirk Haex told broadcaster VRT, this is the first time that we've faced such a gigantic attack. It is tough to counter an attack like this. The company has been in operation since 1993.&nbsp;

"Everything reached a crescendo around noon," Haex said, insisting that no information was stolen. “The point of such an attack is to disable the system, not to steal information."&nbsp;

Haex said it was too early to say, who could be behind the attack. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The company providing internet services for Belgium's parliament, government agencies, universities and scientific institutions said on Tuesday that its network was under cyberattack, with connections to several customers disrupted.

The company providing internet services for Belgium's parliament, government agencies, universities and scientific institutions said on Tuesday that its network was under cyberattack, with connections to several customers disrupted. Belnet said in a statement the attack is still in progress and takes place in successive waves. Our teams are working hard to mitigate them. The company has around 200 customers. Two hours later it said, the effect of the attack seems to be diminishing, but provided no other details. Belgian media reported that online services for coronavirus vaccination centres were partly disrupted and that prosecutors' offices in Brussels had experienced problems. Belnet Director Dirk Haex told broadcaster VRT, this is the first time that we've faced such a gigantic attack. It is tough to counter an attack like this. The company has been in operation since 1993. "Everything reached a crescendo around noon," Haex said, insisting that no information was stolen. “The point of such an attack is to disable the system, not to steal information." Haex said it was too early to say, who could be behind the attack. (With inputs from agencies)

Belgian government, parliament, colleges hit by cyberattack 

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